BHS girls tops in regional

They cast a little magic in crunch time to help elevated the Bartlesville High School Lady Bruins to a crucial victory in their home finale.

With a Class 6A regional crown on the line, the Lady Bruins edged Edmond Deer Creek, 55-52, to seize the trophy and a spot in the area playoffs winner's bracket.

Avery Allen and Erin Shoemaker each buried two free throws in the final 32 seconds to rescue the win for Bartlesville, which improved to 25-0— matching the 1991-92 Lady Bruin team for the most total wins in a season.

With time running down Monday, the Antler girls of Deer Creek were coming on like a speeding freight train — threatening both Bartlesville's perfect mark and regional title hopes.

Trailing 11 points going into the final period, Deer Creek girls went into overdrive to pull within one point, 53-52, with 10 seconds left.

But, Shoemaker's two free throws with eight seconds left — and an errant, last-gasp three-point shot at the buzzer by the Antlers — sealed Bartlesville's destiny.

But, all of the starters contributed key scoring. Destiny Harris dropped in two field goals — and Trinity Parker canned two free throws — in the second quarter to help the Lady Bruins pull out to a 12-point halftime lead, 32-20.

But, Edmond Deer Creek came on strong in the second half — aided by the 6-foot-2 Harris being whistled for her fourth foul and being banished for several minutes to the bench.

While she was in the game, the long and lean Harris loomed like a nightmare for Antler inside shooters. Not only did she swat several layup tries, but she also altered some shot attempts so much, the trajectory appeared destined for Albuquerque rather than the basket.

Perhaps some of the positive karma for Bartlesville — including several missed Deer Creek layups — was due partly to those little elves — dressed in Bruin blue, of course — dancing in the rafters.

The second period.

That really provided the difference in the game.

Bartlesville routed Deer Creek during the period, 16-6, to take permanent command of the lead.

In the other three quarters, the Antlers outscored Bartlesville, 46-39, in what was definitely the Lady Bruins' closest call this campaign on their homecourt.

Bartlesville head coach Krista Binam —in her third year at the Lady Bruin helm —achieved a 25-win season for the second or third time in her coaching career.

But, Monday's triumph didn't follow Bartlesville's normal script — close early and then bury an opponent.

After the game, Binam labelled Deer Creek as “a great team.”

The Antlers burst on the board with a layup by Vann — a sophomore that appears likely to leave a huge imprint on the Oklahoma girls basketball before her prep career is done.

Allen answered with a three-pointer — off a feed from Williams to bump Bartlesville into his first lead, 3-2.

The teams continued to trade points throughout the opening quarter, which ended with the Lady Bruins clinging to a two-point lead, 16-14.

However, Bartlesville surged on a 12-1 run to open the second quarter, extending the gap to 13 points, 28-15.

But, unlike most other Lady Bruin foes this season, Deer Creek featured the talent, coaching and determination to weather the storm.

During Deer Creek's fourth quarter rally, Shoemaker knocked down a key trey, that ultimately would be the difference.